Written by Barbara Kesel & Stuart Immomen.
Art by Dean Zachary; Wade Von Grawbadger; Pam Eklund; Ken Lopez; & Glenn Whitmore.
Cover Art by Stuart Immomen.
SUMMARY:
From the pages of Adventures of Superman # 535, DC Comics released this 40-page one-shot entitled “Protector of Earth?” for September 1996. Above the U.S. Capitol Building, Marcus Aelius (aka Alpha Centurion) defeats the snarky thief and alleged historian calling herself, ‘Ephemera.’ Having staked Washington, D.C., as his new home, Earth’s new defender regularly plays himself up to the media.
His origin is revealed: from ancient Rome, the famed warrior was recruited by planet Virmiru to train and serve as an intergalactic hero. Included are brief glimpses of his recent interaction with Superman and Lois Lane in the present-day.
Evidently summoned back into service by planet Virmiru, Ultra Centurion’s advanced technology helps him face the nebulous alien, Foris Ab Taumen. The question becomes: what is Earth’s true potential threat from deep space?
REVIEW:
This blah one-shot is technically a Superman spin-off. Yet, for the mid-90’s, its forgettable writing and bland artwork are reminiscent of DC’s Impact Comics imprint – not to mention, Marvel’s similar Malibu Comics. The sole incentive to rescue Alpha Centurion Special # 1 from the bargain section is for obscurity’s sake. Even then, it may prove something of a disappointment.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a full-page “Watch This Space” column remembering iconic Superman artist Curt Swan.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars
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